Samuel Iling-Junior medical underway for Aston Villa exit as Unai Emery claim emerges

Bryan King has suggested Unai Emery doesn't think Aston Villa forward Samuel Iling-Junior is ready for the Premier League.

The ex-Villa scout believes the 20-year-old will get plenty of first-team minutes out on loan in Italy this season.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano via X (26 August), Iling-Junior is undergoing his Bologna medical ahead of signing his contract with the club on Monday (26 August). It is a straight loan deal with no buy option included.

And King - speaking exclusively to Villa News - thinks this temporary switch is best for the forward.

"This move makes sense to me," King said.

"Emery certainly doesn't think the player is ready for the Premier League yet. Therefore, the best thing for him is to be playing regular first-team football this season.

"And he will certainly get regular first-team football with Bologna."

Samuel Iling-Junior to join Bologna on loan from Aston Villa

Iling-Junior joined Villa as part of the transfer which saw Douglas Luiz head to Juventus.

However, with several forwards competing for places at Villa Park, it was always going to be difficult for the Englishman to make an instant impact.

He is still only 20 years old and will no doubt need some time to establish himself in the Premier League.

Therefore, a loan move away from the club makes sense for this season. However, some supporters might have preferred the player to be sent on loan elsewhere in England, to allow him an opportunity to acclimatise to English football.

In other Aston Villa news, one big-name Premier League player would say yes to joining the club amid a transfer update.

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